Doug Johnson, 2 others accused in attack after Gator game

Published: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 8:51 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 2:27 p.m.

A sworn complaint was filed against former University of Florida quarterback Doug Johnson alleging that he took part in beating a Gainesville man so badly after a UF football game that the victim blacked out.

Johnson, 35, who attended Buchholz High School and played for the Atlanta Falcons after playing as quarterback for UF, is accused of taking part in the beating of Joe Cappelletti following the UF/LSU game.

Gainesville police officer Ben Tobias said the department filed the sworn complaint against Johnson and two others in November. The complaint against Johnson alleges felony battery.

An attorney for Johnson and two others named in sworn complaints said they were the victims in the case and were acting in self-defense.

The case is now in the hands of the State Attorney’s Office. Spokesman Spencer Mann said a decision has not been made on whether formal charges will be filed.

Cappelletti told The Sun after the incident that he was walking down West University Avenue near St. Augustine Church around 9:30 p.m. when two women and three men in a rickshaw pulled up. They started yelling at Cappelletti’s group, and one pushed Jamie Davis, Cappelletti’s girlfriend. Cappelletti grabbed one of the men and they tussled and exchanged some words before everyone dispersed.

His group crossed the street, Cappelletti said, and the same three men jumped out of the bushes and attacked them.

“The thing that really got me is that they were all Gator fans,” he said. “They just looked like normal people who came to town to enjoy the game.”

Cappelletti said they grabbed him and punched and kicked him repeatedly in the face.

Cappelletti suffered a broken nose and numerous facial fractures. His friend, Ryan Forbus, suffered a cut to his eye and severe swelling on the left side of his face from repeated blows. The other victim was Danielle Feldman.

Sworn complaints were also filed against Andrew Greer, 39, of Gainesville, and Megan Cranston, 35, of Jacksonville.

Gainesville attorney Michael Finesilver — who represents Johnson, Greer and Cranston — said in an email that his clients were attacked first and were defending themselves.

“My clients suffered an unprovoked attack in front of a church at 1800 W. University Avenue on October 6, 2012, during which Doug Johnson was knocked unconscious. They, and the other members of their party, left the scene in an effort to provide a safer environment for their respective wives and girlfriends. They were pursued by their original attackers, and they lawfully defended themselves when attacked for a second time,” Finesilver said. “Based upon my investigation, which includes the interview of several independent witnesses, it is clear that my clients are the actual victims in this case.”

<p>A sworn complaint was filed against former University of Florida quarterback Doug Johnson alleging that he took part in beating a Gainesville man so badly after a UF football game that the victim blacked out.</p><p>Johnson, 35, who attended Buchholz High School and played for the Atlanta Falcons after playing as quarterback for UF, is accused of taking part in the beating of Joe Cappelletti following the UF/LSU game.</p><hr />
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<hr /><p>Gainesville police officer Ben Tobias said the department filed the sworn complaint against Johnson and two others in November. The complaint against Johnson alleges felony battery.</p><p>An attorney for Johnson and two others named in sworn complaints said they were the victims in the case and were acting in self-defense.</p><p>The case is now in the hands of the State Attorney's Office. Spokesman Spencer Mann said a decision has not been made on whether formal charges will be filed.</p><p>Cappelletti told The Sun after the incident that he was walking down West University Avenue near St. Augustine Church around 9:30 p.m. when two women and three men in a rickshaw pulled up. They started yelling at Cappelletti's group, and one pushed Jamie Davis, Cappelletti's girlfriend. Cappelletti grabbed one of the men and they tussled and exchanged some words before everyone dispersed.</p><p>His group crossed the street, Cappelletti said, and the same three men jumped out of the bushes and attacked them.</p><p>“The thing that really got me is that they were all Gator fans,” he said. “They just looked like normal people who came to town to enjoy the game.”</p><p>Cappelletti said they grabbed him and punched and kicked him repeatedly in the face.</p><p>Cappelletti suffered a broken nose and numerous facial fractures. His friend, Ryan Forbus, suffered a cut to his eye and severe swelling on the left side of his face from repeated blows. The other victim was Danielle Feldman.</p><p>Sworn complaints were also filed against Andrew Greer, 39, of Gainesville, and Megan Cranston, 35, of Jacksonville.</p><p>Gainesville attorney Michael Finesilver — who represents Johnson, Greer and Cranston — said in an email that his clients were attacked first and were defending themselves.</p><p>“My clients suffered an unprovoked attack in front of a church at 1800 W. University Avenue on October 6, 2012, during which Doug Johnson was knocked unconscious. They, and the other members of their party, left the scene in an effort to provide a safer environment for their respective wives and girlfriends. They were pursued by their original attackers, and they lawfully defended themselves when attacked for a second time,” Finesilver said. “Based upon my investigation, which includes the interview of several independent witnesses, it is clear that my clients are the actual victims in this case.”</p>